I have a 21 hp briggs single cylinder.has 160 lbs compression but smokes and files plug,,your thoughts

SOURCE: one cylinder won't fire

You need to check spark plug wire to that cylinder I have had the same problem where a mouse ate insulation off wire ,Your engine has a coil with two wires one runs each cylinder I have had them go bad where only one fired you would need a new coil .

Wade Mobley

• 513 Answers
• Posted on Jul 05, 2009

SOURCE: Craftsman Lawn Tractor/ hard start/ whitish smoke

does it turn over slow or fast if it turns slowly thats the problem so it could be battery or starter they have to have a good amount of rpms to burn fuel right when starting if not it floods out the engine with gas hope this helps thanks wade

SOURCE: Engine shuts down

check compresstion.if good check valve if good check beather on engine.but first check
sparkplug.let me know if this help you.ok

SOURCE: 24 hp intek has no power when under a load mainly

I have good news for you,well sort of,the rings are probably ok.The intek engine is noted for blown head gaskets.They leak between the cylinder and the push rod chamber.A way to check is to start the engine for a minute,turn it off and pull the dipstick out,if you see vapors coming out of the oil fill tube it has a leaking head gasket.To check to see which cylinder is leaking, check the plugs,there will be a oil residue on one or even a brown crusty build up on the side that has the leaking head gasket.If you remove the head you will probably see a small piece of the gasket is missing on one side of it.

SOURCE: starts but smoke bellows from the exhaust

Most likely a ring problem. Find a compression tester and see how it stacks up (115 lbs w/ starter at 5 - 6 revolutions) You can find a fitting that will let you use air and do what is called a blow down test. A fitting will fit in place of your spark plug letting you put air in the cylinder. This will show where the cylinder is leaking, rings, valves, head gasket. Must have constant air press. in the 50 - 60 lb area. you can then listen in the dip stick tube for air (that is a ring leak) or down the muffler for a leak ( valves). Also can be timing, if the engine is out of time enough, it will bog when needs more torque, and this in turn will cause an increase in oil burning. You will have to remove the flywheel and check the points / Magneto.